Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Pendik, Istanbul to Chicago. While the landing favors left seats, the takeoff scenery from the right side of Istanbul is more visually distinctive and immediate. The Sea of Marmara and Princes' Islands provide more dramatic geography than the gradual approach to Chicago over the Midwest. Right-side seats offer the better overall experience for this route.

During takeoff from Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW), sit on the Right side for the best views. Right-side seats offer views of the Sea of Marmara and the Asian side of Istanbul during the initial climb-out. The aircraft typically departs eastbound or northeastbound from Sabiha Gökçen, positioning right-side passengers to see the water body and coastal geography immediately after takeoff. Notable sights include: Sea of Marmara, Pendik waterfront and residential areas, Princes' Islands (visible as small landmasses in the sea), Asian Istanbul coastline.

When landing at Chicago Ohare International (ORD), sit on the Left side for the best views. Left-side seats provide views of Lake Michigan and the Chicago shoreline during approach to O'Hare. Aircraft typically approach from the northeast over the lake, making left-side passengers ideally positioned to see the water, downtown Chicago skyline, and the transition from lake to urban landscape. Notable sights include: Lake Michigan, Chicago downtown skyline and Willis Tower, North Shore residential areas, Chicago River mouth.

The flight from Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW) to Chicago Ohare International (ORD) takes Approximately 11-12 hours.

The flight path crosses the Black Sea (visible as a large water body roughly 2-3 hours after departure), then proceeds over Eastern Europe. Notable features include the Carpathian Mountains visible from altitude as a linear ridge system in Romania/Slovakia (roughly 5-6 hours into flight), the Danube River valley in Hungary, and the Alps as a distant ridge on the horizon when crossing into Central Europe. After crossing into Germany and Poland, the landscape becomes increasingly flat and agricultural. The Great Lakes region becomes visible roughly 1-2 hours before Chicago, with Lake Michigan appearing as an enormous water body on the approach.